Flooring materials can be divided into three broad
categories: resilient flooring,
hard-surface flooring, and carpet. The
first two have traditionally been used in healthcare facilities in the past,
but technical advances in the infection-control and stain-resistance properties
of carpet have made it a viable option.
Resilient flooring comprises sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, sheet
rubber, and rubber tiles. Unfortunately,
resilient flooring is often polished and produces a lot of glare which is very
uncomfortable for elderly eyes. When
used, a matte finish is an absolute must.
This type of flooring often has a cushion-back option which provides a
softer feel than hard surface flooring.
Hard surface flooring consists of stone, tile or
concrete. Like resilient flooring, it’s
also often polished which isn’t recommended.
It also doesn’t provide the cushion that resilient flooring or carpet
can provide to mitigate the effect of a fall.
Carpet adds visual warmth to a setting and can somewhat
improve the acoustics in a space. It
also eliminates glare from a shiny floor, provides better traction, and a
softer surface in case of a fall. Carpet
is subjected to the more soiling, staining, and indenting, however, so it’s important
to select a very high-quality carpet, and clean it properly and often.
All flooring should be flush and even to prevent falls, and
should be easy for wheelchairs and walkers to travel over. A high-pile carpet, for example, is not
recommended. To accommodate wheelchairs, shuffling feet, and walking aids,
flooring transitions should be no greater than half an inch in height, and even
if possible. Thresholds should be avoided whenever possible, and when
unavoidable, their edges should be beveled. Area rugs should not be used
because they’re a trip hazard.
Strong contrast should be evident between the walls and
floors. The wall base should match the
wall color to give a clear, distinct contrast where the floor plane meets the
vertical wall. Elderly people often have
impaired depth perception and a sharp contrast in color or pattern on the floor
can be interpreted as a change in depth, or a step. For this population, it’s best not to use
patterns on the floor.
Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com
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